In 1919 the League of Nations gave South Africa a mandate to rule Namibia. This was revoked in 1966 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. South Africa continued to occupy Namibia, which was treated as a province of the Republic rather than a separate country. It was used as a military springboard into Angola and other neighbouring countries. The inhabitants were subject to the apartheid policies applied in South Africa. In 1988, agreement was reached between the UN and the SA government on an independence plan.
Kairos campaigns in Namibia include:
1970 Campaign about human rights violations in Namibia.
1977 Campaign for a Free Namibia in co-operation with other organisations. Publication of a report about torture in Namibia.
1979 Campaign against the role of the Royal Dutch Shell in South Africa.
1983 Campaign about Namibia with Rev Z Kameeta. See 10.8.4.2., 10.8.5.2., 10.8.6. and 10.8.11.2. United Nations year for sanctions against South Africa. Several activities to promote boycott, sanctions and disinvestment.
1985 Steunt uw geld apartheid? (Does your money support apartheid?).
1988 Campaign against the illegal occupation of Namibia.
Human rights mission to Namibia on behalf of the Working Group Kairos focussing on the role of Koevoet in Namibia. Publication of the report Koevoet versus the people of Namibia. Campaign with a number of other Dutch organisations focussing on the Development of an independent Namibia.
The Namibia material covers human rights violations, the conflict, the activities of the church, and the involvement of international organisations in reaching settlement and providing aid. The elections, repatriation of refugees, the resolution of the conflict and the development and rehabilitation of Namibia are reflected in the material. There are papers by David de Beer, a Christian activist who worked with Kairos and the late Bishop Colin Winter and was deported from Namibia. Also see 2.5.1.6. for a list of political prisoners and 3.3.1.4. for the assassination of Anton Lubowski.
The affidavits in 10.2.1. and 10.2.3. are embargoed until 2010. The affidavit in 10.2.2. has access restrictions.
Unpublished material may only be quoted with the permission of the author.
Dates reflect the dates of the material of which most is for the 1980s and to a lesser degree the 1970s and 1990s. Some material, particularly from the 1970s and early 1980s is undated or dates are illegible.
Arrangement categories of the material are:
Case or legal documents resulting from court cases and inquests.
Clippings consist of reports from the popular press with some articles from magazines, extracts from newsletters and press releases.
Documents include letters, minutes, reports and statements. In some sections ecumenical press releases, Amnesty International press alerts and journal articles are included under documents.
Publications such as booklets, books and published reports and papers.
